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Rationale for Approval Recommendation May 20, 2002 <br />Four Corners Materials, Inc. <br />AM-01. Thomas Pit. Permit No. M-1976-020 <br />actions from not only permitted mining operations, but also from landowners and pre-law <br />mining activities. However, DMG records indicate that permitted mining activities at the <br />Thomas Pit have occurred in accordance with permit conditions and the Act and Rules. <br />As noted above, the lateral stability of the river at this location appears low, by virtue of <br />seasonal deposition of excess bedload. However, stability of the river through this reach <br />may be enhanced by continuous removal of the excess bedload through appropriately <br />conducted and permitted mining and reclamation activities. <br />11. Comments indicating that previous operator abandoned the mining operation <br />without comp/eting rec/amation. /Ritz, Mayol <br />The DMG reclamation permit for the Thomas Pit was transferred from the previous permit <br />holder to the current permit holder, Four Corners Materials, Inc. As part of the permit <br />transfer process, the successor operator accepts all reclamation liability associated with <br />the permit. The previous operator did not abandon the mining operation; the permit was <br />transferred to a new operator. The DMG reclamation permit has remained active since <br />permit issuance and will continue, providing the operation remain in compliance with the <br />approved permit conditions, and the Act and Rules. <br />The Act and Rules provide reclamation requirements to ensure that affected lands are <br />reclaimed to a beneficial land use. Any operator of a permitted operation is obligated to <br />satisfy the performance standards of Rule 3.1. Financial warranty cannot be released and <br />the permit terminated until reclamation has been completed in accordance with the <br />performance standards of Rule 3.1, and in accordance with the approved reclamation <br />plan, and all applicable sections of the Act and Rules. <br />12. Does the app/ication provide a schedu/e by which rec/amation wi//be <br />comp/eted? What is the /ong term p/an for river rec/amation? (Ritz, Mayo, Dan <br />James/ <br />The application for AM-01 provides an appropriate timetable to describe the relationship <br />between mining and reclamation activities, as required under Rule 6.4.4(e). However, <br />Rule 6.4.4(e) states that an operator shall not be required to meet specific dates for <br />initiation, or completion of a mining phase as may be identified in the application. <br />The application for AM-01 addresses reclamation for the proposed expansion area only, <br />and does not modify the reclamation plan for previously affected lands, Previously <br />affected lands, not addressed under AM-01, will be reclaimed in accordance with the <br />conditions of the previously approved reclamation plan. The public is encouraged to <br />contact DMG and arrange an appointment to review the reclamation permit at the DMG <br />office in Denver, at the address and phone number displayed on this letterhead, or in <br />9 <br />